More media goings on...

I received an e-mail from the Radio Times this morning asking to use the photo of me on their web-site... in the light of the piece in the magazine, this was my reply...

Dear ********,

Both myself and the Programme maker where unhappy about the wording of the feature in the magazine believing it to misrepresent both the programme and safespace.  Therefore I am questioning whether it is appropriate to allow you to attach an image of myself to statements which make false claims about what we are doing here in Telford.  Unfortunately I gave permission for the picture to be used in the magazine without having first seen the text, I assumed that you would be using the official BBC press release and not the sensationalist and inaccurate piece that was printed.    Therefore I am only happy for the image to be used if it is to be attached to the said official BBC press release which can be found at...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/radio/2009/wk4/7day.shtml

Regards
Mark

As I wrote this I had the following e-mail arrive...

We are producing a series for Channel 4 on the history of Christianity for Channel 4. Actually, it has already begun airing actually and has and good critical acclaim. We like to think it is good TV compared to a lot of the rubbish on these days.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/christianity-a-history

In the final episode, which we are still filming, we want to look at Christianity's future prospects in the light of an increasingly secular western world. This episode will be presented by Cherie Blair. It is shaping up to be an interesting programme.

You may have guessed but the reason I am in touch is because your work in Telford is extremely relevant to our subject matter. I hope you would be willing – but we’d like to potentially come and film with you for half a day.

Not sure what to do with this... I'm feeling a bit burned by the Radio Time, but the Channel 4 prog is pretty good... Oh well, I feel I may be fulfilling Jonny Bakers description of me as a "media tart" ;-)

Technorati Tags: Christianity: Church: Emerging Church: Media: Mission: Missional: safespace: Sanktuary: Spirituality: Television

Comments

[matybigfro]

don't forget the lippy!
-
watch out though you might end up becoming the new 'steve chalk'?

[: safe space :]

lol.. Steve is a top bloke... but I don't think you'll see me on GMTV!

[joe]

I can't get a handle on Cherie Blair/Booth so if it was me, I'd probably tell them where to go. But then I don't watch much TV - if it was Radio 4, I'd be there like a shot!

I guess the issue is what you would hope to get out of this kind of publicity, Mark. I can't help you there, being a total media virgin.

[jonny]

mark hope the programme is ok - i'll be teaching so will miss it... media tart was of course meant to be cheeky! ;-)

[becky]

Mark - As a working writer, I want to apologize that you were treated in this manner. When I profile ministries such as yours, I make it a point to let the leader or some appointed representative review what I've written to be sure I represented them fairly. The exception is if I go into a church service such as Mark Driscoll/Mars Hill Church in Seattle where I am reporting on my experiences as a participant - there I am also satirizing a very public figure who has marketed himself as an anti-Emergent church (tm) guru, so he's fair game.

The Q to ask yourself is 1) do you trust this producer to do a fair representation of you on the television show? Also, do you see these clips as being helpful tools that you can use elsewhere?

BTW-The producer isn't likely to have much control over the promotional material but you can check to see if an exception can be made in your case citing your previous experience. Another Q there to ask is how many people will actually read the program listing versus watch the show? Will the good in letting seekers know there are places like Safe Space outweigh the fact that the write-up about this might be penned by one of Monty Python's Twits?

[Kate c]

I've been watching this .. it's been a really good series so far .. not sensationalist or hyped up with talking heads appearing to be respected in their views and representations. It was pick of the day in whatever Sunday paper TV guide we had that week and if Radio 4 did TV I expect it would be like this.

My question is, what are they going to show if you don't go on there? Who knows what other talking heads they'll have on with thoughts on the future of Christianity. That, to me, is the scarier prospect!